Beastfolk, Ovida (3.5e Race)

Ovida

Goatfolk (or ibixians, as they are sometimes known) are the wild and free souls of the mountains, living in barbaric savagery and completely untouchable by the laws of other races. However, this is only one side of the story. Some of these ibixians did indeed settle down in human lands, and over time they allowed themselves to become domestic and docile, until they had become the ovida race – sheepfolk, instead of goats. They are still excellent at working in groups, and the cooperation found in ovida settlements is astounding, but so is the startling lack of originality of thought and the eager willingness to conform to the standards of the community as a whole.

Personality

Ovida are most noted for their willingness to conform. The needs of the group always go first, while the needs of the individual are secondary, if they come up at all. Because of their stalwart commitment to tradition, and their less-than-stellar intelligences, it can be very difficult talking to an ovida, especially if one is trying to convince them to change their present course of action when there is no obvious danger to it. The average ovida prefers a peaceful, quiet life, devoid of needless danger, much like the average human commoner, taken to the extreme of the stereotype.

Physical Description

An amalgam of sheep and humanoid, ovida have a fleecy covering all over their bodies (which is sheared periodically to make cloth), which comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns, the heads of sheep, and hooves or hooflike feet (depending on the amount of human blood in their ancestry). There are as wide a range of body types and heights among ovida as there are among humans, though ovida tend more towards the middle ranges of physical fitness – what some observers have called “More average than the average.” Ovida often practice a form of limited eugenics, and so it is quite common for a single community of the sheepfolk to all look exceptionally similar to each other.

Relations

As a general rule, the ovida do not have many enemies. Most people find themselves quite bored in ovida communities, for the sheepfolk are not especially exciting, nor do they appreciate excitement, and so unless one needs a skilled laborer or crafter, most people avoid the ovida, leaving them to their quiet lives. Exceptions to this rule include orcs and raiding bands of wolfen. Both groups view the ovida as easy prey, from whom spoils of excellent quality can be stolen. Hobgoblins are also a constant menace because they usually seek to dominate ovida communities, seeing the sheepfolk as docile laborers for the hobgoblin cause, easy bullied into serving their new masters. Ovida usually act as willing, loyal subjects to human rulers, so long as they are left alone, though sometimes a village or two might serve dwarven kingdoms, and they are highly prized everywhere for their skill as farmers and crafters.

Alignment

Ovida are as solid and stolid a folk as could be desired, holding fast to tradition whenever possible, and working always to uphold the laws of their communities, not asking many questions or trying to rock the boat. This makes most ovida just plain Neutral, seeking always to fit in and be part of the crowd, though many are Lawful Neutral as well.

Lands

Usually the lands of the sheepfolk are those owned by others. Not the most martial of races, ovida generally either offer their services freely to stronger powers in exchange for protection, or are dominated by oppressive groups seeking cheap, effective labor that isn’t likely to challenge the statue quo. Ovida do occasionally set up small, isolated villages in quiet valleys and high mountain areas, but these are exceptions to the rule.

Religion

The sheepfolk prefer stolid, lawful deities who offer them protection from their enemies, and justice and punishment to those who transgress the laws of the community. St. Cuthbert is an excellent example of the sort of deity worshipped most freely by the ovida.

Language

Ovida speak Ibixian as their native language, and Common with an accent that marks them as stolid peasantfolk. They can select their bonus languages from Draconic, Dwarven, Feline, Gnoll, Halfling, Orc, and Wolfen.

Names

Ovida names are common and simple, taking after human archetypes from the lands where ovida are most common, and surnames are usually patriarchal. Names like Mary Tomson and Harold Jenson are typical for ovida, the more common and practical-sounding the better.

Adventurers

An ovida is a most uncommon sight in an adventuring party. The young, while occasionally given to moments of recklessness, are usually carefully watched and guided down their life paths, ensuring that they do not go astray from the fold. However, when communities of sheepfolk are oppressed by especially horrible tyrants, the normal order can occasionally break down, and some members of the community might escape and try to make their way on the open road. Also, occasionally ovida will become slaves to other races, some of whom might escape, and for whom the adventurous life is the only option, since returning home might just endanger the ovida’s loved ones. Others will be acting as servants to other members of an adventuring party, an occupation that just happens to bring them into the line of adventurous life.

Racial Traits

• +2 Wisdom, +2 Charisma, -2 Intelligence
• Monstrous Humanoid
• Medium-size
• Ovida base land speed is 30 feet
• Singleminded Devotion: +2 on all Craft and Profession skills
• Surefooted: +2 to Climb and Balance checks
• Herd Mentality: As long as an ovida is within 30 ft of a trusted friend, authority figure, or another ovida, the ovida gains a +2 morale bonus versus Fear checks, and a +2 on skill checks requiring team effort. However, while they are in such groups, ovida also take a –2 penalty to Will saves versus any mind-affecting effects that do not induce fear, and a –2 on Sense Motive checks.
• Natural Weapon: Headbutt (1d4 bludgeoning damage), x2 if used in a charge.
• Automatic Languages: Common, Ibixian. Bonus Languages: Dwarven, Elves, Halfling, Terran
• Favored Class: Cleric or Druid.
• Level Adjustment: 0

Ovida Subrace: Bighorn

The bighorn ovida are a subrace of the sheepfolk that developed a strong individualistic streak, or perhaps regained it after the ovida lost it from their more primal origins. Thus, instead of congregating in the lower regions in meek herds, these hardy folk seek out the highest places in the world, traversing even the most treacherous peaks with relative ease. While their name is taken from the bighorn sheep that so many of them resemble, there are many among their number who look like mountain goats as well, sturdy and hardy, though not approaching the barbarism of the ibixians.

Racial Traits

• +2 Constitution, +2 Strength, -2 Intelligence
• Monstrous Humanoid
• Medium-size
• Ovida base land speed is 30 feet
• Surefooted: +2 to Climb and Balance checks
• Natural Weapon: Headbutt (1d6 bludgeoning damage), x2 if used in a charge.
• Automatic Languages: Common, Ibixian. Bonus Languages: Dwarven, Elves, Halfling, Terran
• Favored Class: Fighter.
• Level Adjustment: 0

Vital Statistics

Table: Random Starting Ages

Adulthood	Simple	Moderate	Complex
years	+	+	+

Table: Aging Effects

Middle Age1	Old2	Venerable3	Maximum Age
years	years	years	+ years
At middle age, −1 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. At old age, −2 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. At venerable age, −3 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha.

Table: Random Height and Weight

Gender	Base Height	Height Modifier	Base Weight	Weight Modifier
Male	' "	+	lb.	× () lb.
Female	' "	+	lb.	× () lb.

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